Businessweek Archives

A Touch Tone Truth Serum

December 21, 1997

Enterprise -- In Box

A TOUCH-TONE TRUTH SERUM

Want to avoid hiring employees who lie, cheat, or steal? Psychological "honesty tests" intended to measure job seekers' integrity can be given via Touch-Tone phone or computer--with the results available instantly. Pinkerton Service Group's 83-question Stanton Survey (800 528-5745) starts at $12.50. Competitor NCS London House (800 221-8378) sells a similar product for $21. Both outfits offer volume discounts.EDITED BY EDITH HILL UPDIKEReturn to top

ONLINE ORIGINAL

ARE YOU HONEST? BE CAREFUL HOW YOU ANSWER

Psychobabble...or effective screening tool? For decades, both job-seekers and employees have taken a variety of honesty tests, which are supposed to measure workers' trustworthiness and on-the-job performance. To most test-takers and certain critics, the exams are a silly, if not undecipherable, rite of passage. Some employers, however, view the tests as reasonable gauges of integrity and make the exams part of a job applicant's profile.

One such test, the Stanton Survey (offered by Pinkerton Services Group), is based on psychological research dating back to the 1960s. As described by its creators, it uses 83 questions (mostly answered yes or no, with a few multiple-choice queries) to glean insight into a test-taker's past and future deviant behavior.

What's on the test? Enterprise Online has selected 10 Stanton Survey questions for posting online. Though Pinkerton officials declined to reveal the "correct" answers, the following items should give a basic sense of what honesty tests are about.

Do you agree with this statement: "Some of my friends are a little honest but I do not put them down."?

Would you return money to a store if a clerk gave you too much change?

Is it all right to bend company rules as long as it does not become a habit?

Is it all right for employees to use a sick day for reasons other than illness?

Have you ever hurt anyone's feelings?

Do you always finish what you start?

Did you ever help a friend by letting him/her have your employee discount without a supervisor's approval?

Would most employees steal if they would not get caught?

When there are no opportunities to advance in a company, do employees turn to stealing?

Is it fun to see how much your supervisor will let you get away with?Edited by Dennis BermanReturn to top